Global Category Manager

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive global strategy, coordinating with other Category Managers to leverage the spend across the enterprise.
• Conduct market analysis, benchmark through RFP’s to evaluate supply base competitiveness, as well as to conduct supplier base consolidations.
• Identify and implement cost reduction opportunities through supplier consolidation, value engineering, specification harmonization, and should-cost modeling.
• Lead strategic initiatives such as dual sourcing, regionalization, and risk mitigation aligned with corporate procurement goals.
• Manage global supplier relationships. Lead the supplier selection process and performance reviews, as well as actively participate in supplier qualifications and Joint Business Planning (JBP) activities.
• Negotiate global contracts, pricing agreements, and long-term supply arrangements, ensuring competitive commercial terms.
• Evaluate supplier capacity and capabilities, adherence to industry standards (ISO 13485, GMP, USP Class VI, etc.).
• Partner with R&D and Engineering teams to influence material selection and ensure alignment with category strategies.
• Collaborate with Quality and Regulatory to ensure compliance with medical-industry requirements and material documentation (RoHS, REACH, MDR, FDA, etc.).
• Support Operations and Supply Chain in supplier transfers and manufacturing validation activities.
• Participate in New Product Introduction (NPI) programs to ensure sourcing decisions meet long-term category goals.
• Deliver annual cost savings, productivity improvements, and working-capital targets.
• Maintain a robust and compliant supplier base through audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement plans.
• Develop and maintain spend analyses, cost models, and quarterly category business reviews.
• Assess and mitigate risks related to supply constraints.
• Ensure ethical sourcing and compliance with corporate standards and global regulations.
• Support sustainability initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Materials Science, Business, or related field.
• MBA or advanced technical degree preferred.
• 5–8+ years of procurement or category management experience, ideally within the medical devices, pharmaceutical, healthcare, or highly regulated manufacturing industries.
• Deep knowledge of category management and supplier relationship management.
• Experience working in a highly regulated environment with cross-functional teams (Quality, Regulatory, R&D, Operations).
• Strong commercial negotiation and contract management skills.
• Understanding polymer chemistry, manufacturing processes, tooling, and cost drivers.
• Ability to lead complex supplier transitions and global sourcing initiatives.
• Excellent data analysis, strategic thinking, and project management skills.
• Strong communication and relationship-building abilities across global teams.